Belvedere (Queen Anne's Summer Palace), Prague
At the eastern edge of the Royal Garden, just north of Prague Castle, stands one of the city's most elegant Renaissance treasures鈥攖he Royal Summer Palace, often called the Belvedere. Commissioned in the mid-1500s by Emperor Ferdinand I as a romantic gesture for his wife, Queen Anne, the palace was designed by Italian architects and has long been celebrated as one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture north of the Alps.
Its most striking feature is the unique copper roof, shaped like the hull of an inverted ship, which hovers gracefully above the ground-floor arcades. These arcades are supported by thirty-six columns, and between them you'll find a stunning collection of 114 sculpted reliefs. They bring to life scenes from royal hunts, ancient battles, and classical myths鈥攂ut also offer more intimate moments, including one particularly touching depiction of Ferdinand presenting a flower to his queen.
Somewhat secluded from the main castle complex, the palace was originally used as an observatory. Today, the upper floor is home to a large fresco that illustrates key episodes from Czech history. The lower level, once filled with drawing rooms and ballrooms, now hosts rotating exhibitions that spotlight both fine art and traditional crafts.
Just outside, the palace is adjoined by a small, geometrically-arranged Renaissance garden known as the 鈥済iardinetto鈥�. At its heart stands the famed Singing Fountain, a collaborative work between Italian designers and Czech craftsmen. As water cascades into the basin, it creates a gentle, bell-like sound that gives the fountain its name. For those curious to truly hear the melody, the best approach is to crouch near the rim of the basin, where the acoustics bring out the soft music of the flowing water.
Its most striking feature is the unique copper roof, shaped like the hull of an inverted ship, which hovers gracefully above the ground-floor arcades. These arcades are supported by thirty-six columns, and between them you'll find a stunning collection of 114 sculpted reliefs. They bring to life scenes from royal hunts, ancient battles, and classical myths鈥攂ut also offer more intimate moments, including one particularly touching depiction of Ferdinand presenting a flower to his queen.
Somewhat secluded from the main castle complex, the palace was originally used as an observatory. Today, the upper floor is home to a large fresco that illustrates key episodes from Czech history. The lower level, once filled with drawing rooms and ballrooms, now hosts rotating exhibitions that spotlight both fine art and traditional crafts.
Just outside, the palace is adjoined by a small, geometrically-arranged Renaissance garden known as the 鈥済iardinetto鈥�. At its heart stands the famed Singing Fountain, a collaborative work between Italian designers and Czech craftsmen. As water cascades into the basin, it creates a gentle, bell-like sound that gives the fountain its name. For those curious to truly hear the melody, the best approach is to crouch near the rim of the basin, where the acoustics bring out the soft music of the flowing water.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Belvedere (Queen Anne's Summer Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Belvedere (Queen Anne's Summer Palace)
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
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The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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